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Shelby Estocado was born and raised in Las Vegas, NV, with Hawaiian and German roots. She played softball and basketball at Bishop Gorman High School from 2010-2014 and continued her softball career at the University of Tulsa from 2014-2018.
From 2016-2019, she represented the USA as a member of the Women’s National Baseball Team. On February 23, 2020, she had a snowboarding accident, lost control off a jump, and landed on her back. She sustained a broken sternum and T-6 spinal cord injury, leaving her paralyzed from the abdomen down.
Soon after her accident, she was introduced to the High Fives Foundation in Truckee, CA, which introduced her to adaptive sports and connected her with many other organizations and people with similar missions. Now a full-time athlete, she enjoys life to the fullest with incredible people supporting her every step of the way. She strives to represent her family, play for her country, and be a great role model for others, helping them reach their recovery goals. She’s always looking forward to opportunities that keep her driven, maintain her athleticism, and fuel her competitive spirit. Her goals include making the 2026 US Paralympic Alpine Ski Team and the 2028 US Paralympic Powerlifting Team.
What is your WHY/Your mission?
It's a mindset, and I want to be happy. Surround myself with likeminded people and do things that make me happy and successful. I won't wait for it to happen, I'll try my best every single day to work on myself and what I want out of this life.
Some causes/non-profits that you support?
High Fives Foundation, Sisters in Sports Foundation, National Ability Center, Adaptive Training Foundation
What changes would you like to see in your favorite sport?
More female adaptive athletes and recognition from the media.
What's your favorite bacon recipe or way to enjoy bacon?
My dad's bacon wrapped grilled chicken
What is a song that pumps you up before a sporting event?
Mmm Mmm by Able Heart
If you had to eat one food/dish daily for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I've gotta go back to my Hawaiian roots and could live off seafood and poi the rest of my life.
Name a bacon-wrapped food or dish with bacon that you can't resist:
If there's a nicely wrapped bacon jalapeño popper...I am eating that ASAP!
What’s one word or phrase that encapsulates the essence of your approach to life or work?
There are good days and tough days, never any bad days. Keep on pushing and trying my best at everything I do in life.
What is the last thing you Googled?
The movie theater showtimes so I can watch Wicked with my girlfriend and her family!
Who is your favorite athlete currently?
A few of the paralympic athletes, Steve Serio, Chuck Aoki, and Oksana Masters
Who do you think is the greatest athlete of all time?
Oksana Masters
What's something most people don't know about you?
I was a competitive hula dancer growing up!...yes, I still have videos 🙂
If you had a superpower, what would it be and why?
Teleportation! There's nothing else better than that. Get to places in the blink of an eye with the exact coordinates so I don't land in a huge body of water or on top of a skyscraper. I also gotta make sure my wheelchair comes with me...cus then I'll have a major problem if it doesn't.
What actress would play you in a movie?
Maggie Q
What sport do you find unappealing or odd?
The slapping competitions...c'mon that's very unappealing. Standing there waiting for the other person to slap the other person as hard as they can. That's CRAZY!
Name a song you can sing every single word to:
Hawaiian Style 12 Days of Christmas
One thing you can’t live without?
My wheelchair ;)
If you could have a 1 hour conversation with anyone (living or deceased) who would it be and why?
My grandma on my dad's side, who I am also named after. There is so much history and stories I want to hear from her. I never got to meet her, but I've only heard very special and amazing things.
What has been your biggest struggle and what advice do you have for someone facing the same struggle?
Whatever you are going through, it's going to be okay. It takes time and nothing is going to happen right away. You have to stay committed to what truly makes you happy and work hard for it. It won't just come to you without working hard and trying your best. Surround yourself with good people who will support you through it all.
How do you stay motivated and focused during tough times, and what advice would you give to aspiring athletes who are struggling to stay on track?
When it's tough, recognize what's tough at the moment. Why is it tough? Don't dwell on it too long, but stick to your routines and do what you know that makes you have a positive mindset. Always have a person you trust to talk to about it if you want. Athletes have a lot of tough times, but need to practice recognizing the tough moment, and doing exercises to help them stay on track...it can be smelling your favorite scent, listening to your favorite songs, looking at pictures of happy memories, being with nature, running/working out (which should already be a part of your routine).
How do you define happiness, and have you found it?
Happiness is peace and the feeling of home. Yes, I have found that. I know this is where I am meant to be in my life. I have that feeling of peace and home with the things in my life and the people who I surround myself with. People are on their own timelines and paths to find that, but after my accident, I've never been happier where I am now.
What do you think is the biggest misconception people have about your sport, and how would you like to change that perception?
That we participate in sport...No, we COMPETE! I'm tired of getting participation awards sometimes. I'm competing to win! There's always first, second, and third place. Treat us like other able bodied pro athletes. There's Olympics, Paralympics (which I am training for), and Special Olympics...all different, but unique in their own way.
What do you think is the most important lesson that sports can teach us about life, and how have you applied that lesson in your own life?
How you carry yourself, your work ethic, respect and discipline. The people I choose to surround myself with have similar values and outlooks on life. Being an athlete taught me what hard work is and it reflected in my past job working for one of the biggest medical device company's, Stryker. I learned so much and got promoted through my years there, but now I want to carry what I learned into working on being successful as a full-time athlete.
What is something you think is true that almost nobody agrees with you on?
Payton Manning will always be better than Tom Brady.
Tell us what we really wanna know... do you like your bacon?
Crispy & crunchy
Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?
You can find Shelby on TikTok, Instagram,and YouTube